What are your interests other than writing?

Q&A With Shay Each Sunday

Obviously, for any kind of balanced life I can’t only care about writing, right? It’s definitely special to be passionate about your work when you’re in a creative field. We don’t leave it at the office and go home to our “real life.” A lot of my interests and hobbies even inform my writing, but I have plenty that are unrelated—or can be related.

Q: What are your interests other than writing?

A: I love animals and am passionate about animal rights. I have been a vegetarian my whole life (mostly vegan now). We adopted our six-year-old doggie from the shelter after he was there for almost two years, and he’s THE BEST! I even consider myself more of a cat person—but really I’m just an all animals person. I occasionally volunteer at shelters as well.

You have probably noticed from some of my previous posts that I’m very passionate about music. I don’t play any instruments or sing, but my love for music runs deep. I tried to learn guitar for a bit, and may get back to that at some point—but it’s tough! It’s really hard picking up something new, even though I always want to, I get discouraged fairly easily. I also like painting a lot, even though I’m not very good at it. The paint and pour classes are really fun, I especially like the company Paintnite. Really all crafts are fun!

I’m also interested in fashion, hair, and makeup. Especially alternative styles. I dye my hair different colors a lot and Sephora is my favorite store—I wish it was my bathroom. Also tattoos. I have a lot of tattoos. The only reality show I watch is Ink Master (but occasionally Say Yes to the Dress). I love shopping, a bit too much. I like watching hair and makeup tutorials, and am quite into my skincare regimen these days. I got a Clarisonic for Christmas:)

Health and fitness are big interests. As you also know I used to be a division one athlete, and competitive tennis player. So, fitness has always been a big part of my life. But, now instead of looking at it as a job to be a better tennis player, I truly enjoy my daily workouts. I love working hard and sweating and being sore the next day. My favorite workout is probably pure barre, which I’ve done for about three years now. I also recently started trying barre3 and it’s SO good! The classes they offer at my gym Crunch Fitness are great too. It’s tough for me to be really motivated and push myself without the class setting, but I have some apps on my phone to plan my own workouts if needed. And of course, being a vegetarian and growing up in a wholistic household, I’m into nutrition. I’ll create another post about nutrition at a later date. Oh, and this doesn’t really have to do with nutrition (because it isn't nutritious) but I LOVE COFFEE. I could drink it all day long, and it really doesn’t keep me up, but it’s so delightful.

I love all sorts of nature, especially the ocean, which is special to me since I grew up right near the water. But I love trees and flowers and mountains too. I have a lot of interests and passions even if they don’t necessarily play a role every single day. My greatest broad interest is art in all its forms. And that plays a role in everyone’s day-to-day lives, even if they don’t realize it. Art permeates all. My parents got me a wall hanging that says: Art is not a matter of life and death. It is more important than that.

It is. I care about your art and the art you like, so please connect with me!